Are genetically modified organisms (GMOs) harmful?

Western corn rootworms have developed a resistance to Bt toxin, a bacterium injected into genetically engineered (GE) corn that supposedly kills the worms if they try to eat the corn. Because some of the corn doesn't contain high enough levels of Bt toxin to kill the worms, they become tolerant to it, in much the same way that bacteria become more virulent when exposed to small amounts of an antibiotic.Pesticide-resistant corn rootworms are now found throughout the Midwest.Most commercial GMO crops are engineered to withstand large applications of the herbicide glyphosate (the active ingredient in Roundup). Because of the massive increase in herbicide use since the late 1990s, many weeds have evolved to be resistant. At least 20 weed species have developed herbicide resistance since 1996.Herbicide use in the U.S. increased by 527 million pounds between 1996 and 2011, according to USDA data.Not only are more pesticide residues found on GMO foods, the increase in herbicide spray has also caused air quality issues in many GMO-intensive agriculture areas due to evaporation. View the list »
Genetically engineered tryptophan killed 37 people and disabled more than 1,500 in the U.S. in the 1990s.*This was caused by a failure to conduct pre-market safety testing of the product. Still, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) relies on the word of biotech companies about the safety of their products and conducts no safety tests of its own.*http://responsibletechnology.org/gmo-dangers/health-risks/L-tryptophan/cripplings

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Since genetically modified organisms (GMOs) were introduced to our agriculture system in the 1990s, what have we learned?

For starters, they have a poor environmental record. Although GM crops were first conceptualized as a way to improve yields and reduce pesticide use, they have actually done quite the opposite.

Almost 90 percent of genetically modified crops today are engineered to withstand heavy applications of the herbicide Roundup. Not only has this increased pesticide application rates by over 500 million pounds since 1996, it has lead to the evolution of “super weeds” that can’t be killed by traditional herbicides and require more potent and dangerous chemicals to control.

On top of that, GM crops engineered with a bacterial gene to produce an insecticidal toxin have also proven ineffective as a long-term solution. Western corn rootworms have already evolved resistance to these crops and are the first of many new “super bugs” threatening agriculture around the country.

Genetically modified organisms have not increased crop yield, either. According to the Union of Concerned Scientists, some GM crops actually have lower yields than their conventional counterparts.

GMOs also come with some serious health risks to consumers. In the early 1990s, 37 people died and more than 1,500 were permanently disabled when a batch of genetically modified tryptophan, a common dietary supplement, was released to the market with no safety testing. Additionally, the American Academy of Environmental Medicine has concluded that "GM foods pose a serious health risk in the areas of toxicology, allergy and immune function, reproductive health, and metabolic, physiologic and genetic health."

With little to no federal oversight of genetically modified crops or food ingredients, consumers have a right to be concerned. Check out the list below to learn more about the dangers scientists have uncovered about GMOs.

View the list
  • Genetically engineered tryptophan killed 37 people and disabled more than 1,500 in the U.S. in the 1990s.*This was caused by a failure to conduct pre-market safety testing of the product. Still, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) relies on the word of biotech companies about the safety of their products and conducts no safety tests of its own.*http://responsibletechnology.org/gmo-dangers/health-risks/L-tryptophan/cripplings
  • Herbicide use in the U.S. increased by 527 million pounds between 1996 and 2011, according to USDA data.Not only are more pesticide residues found on GMO foods, the increase in herbicide spray has also caused air quality issues in many GMO-intensive agriculture areas due to evaporation. 
  • Most commercial GMO crops are engineered to withstand large applications of the herbicide glyphosate (the active ingredient in Roundup). Because of the massive increase in herbicide use since the late 1990s, many weeds have evolved to be resistant. At least 20 weed species have developed herbicide resistance since 1996.
  • Western corn rootworms have developed a resistance to Bt toxin, a bacterium injected into genetically engineered (GE) corn that supposedly kills the worms if they try to eat the corn. Because some of the corn doesn't contain high enough levels of Bt toxin to kill the worms, they become tolerant to it, in much the same way that bacteria become more virulent when exposed to small amounts of an antibiotic.Pesticide-resistant corn rootworms are now found throughout the Midwest.
  • GM plants, such as soybean, corn, cottonseed, and canola, have had foreign genes forced into their DNA. The inserted genes come from species, such as bacteria and viruses, which have never been in the human food supply.The American Academy of Environmental Medicine has concluded that, "GM foods pose a serious health risk in the areas of toxicology, allergy and immune function, reproductive health, and metabolic, physiologic and genetic health."The Institute for Responsible Technology has compiled a list of health complications linked to GMOs. http://www.responsibletechnology.org/health-risks
View the list

, Tallahassee Environmental News Examiner

Judson Parker is an acclaimed environmental activist and eco-blogger. In the past, he has directed campaigns for some of the nations top environmental nonprofits, including the Sierra Club, Save Our Shores, and Environment America.

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